Releasable window-supporting device



May 7, 1929.

Filed June 1926 i l: E 1 I 1" 6 10 I ENTQR BY mm ATTORNEY 5 Patented May 7, 1929.

VERNE L. SULLIVAN, OF ROCKVILLE CENTER, NEW YORK.

RELEASABLE wrnnow-surronrmc DEVICE.

Application filed June 1,

This invention relates to improvements in devices for automatically closing windows in the event of rain and has for its object to provide a simple and reliable device of this character and one which may be manufactured at low cost.

There has long been a need for a window closing device for the purpose indicated and various devices more or less complicated have been proposed for the purpose. However, all such devices of which I am aware have necessitated some alteration in the window structure with consequent exposure and have been devised as more or less permanent in stallations. As permanent installations they have been unsightly and therefore objectionable and none of the proposed devices has met with commercial success.

The present invention aims to provide a device for the purpose indicated which does not require any structural change in any part of the window structure before it can be uti lized; which can be put in operative position as easily as aprop or stick; which can be carried from window to window as needs may require and which after it has operated to close the window will fall away from the window into the room ready to be picked up, and, finally, last but least which shall not be an unsightly object.

In accordance with the present invent-ion the device comprises a relatively long prop or stick of sutlicient cross-sectional area to support the weight of the window without buckling or bending. The particular form of the prop is of no material consequence though for simplicity of manufacture a rectangular prop or stick is preferred. One end of the stick perforated to receive a short lever to one end of which is secured a pull rod or wire. This wirenear the lower end of the stick is passed through an elongated aperture in the latter and has its terminal bent into the form of a hook. Some distance below the hook terminal and on the same side as the latter there is secured to the stick any suitable hooked element. These hooks are provided to receive and hold suspended between them an element which when wet will iimncdiately tear or split between its ends under a stretching force. The stretching force in the present instance is the weight of the window resting on the free end of the lever to which the wire or pull rodis attached, the device in use being placed beneath the open window with the water destructible 1926. Serial, No. 113,002.

element facing outwardly. In the event of rain it there is any tendency for the water to come into the room, the water destructible element will immediately become wet whereupon inasmuch as it is under tension due to the weight of the window, it will immediately split between its ends and the window will close of its own weight and in closing will dislodge the prop and tend to push it into the room out of the way.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawing wherein the preferred form of the invention is shown and the detail de scription based thereon.

Referring to the drawings:

proved device the water destructible element being shown in position and between the hooks;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates the device in place beneath a window;

Fig. 4: is a transverse section througlrthc window structure and showing more fully how the device is positioned to hold the window open; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 as regards the window structure but showing the window as having closed following the destruction of the water destructible element, the view further showing the device aboutto fall into the room.

In the drawiugsflO indicates the body or stick part of the device which may be of any suitable material such as wood, and of suflicieut strength to support the weight ot the window to be controlled. The length of the stick may be a. desired. The stick is apertured as at 12 and hinged within the aperture is a lever 14- to one end of which is secured a rod which near its lower end is bent out of parallelism with itself as indicated at 16 and passed through an elongated aperture 18 in the stick, the lower terminal of the rod being bent to form a hook 2'0. Secured to the stick below the hook 520 is a second hook 22. The water destructible element is indicated at 24 and as shown is preferably a relatively thin and wide member which is reinforced in any suitable manner at its ends as at 26 to enable it to be held in stretchedposition between. the hooks.

The relative position of the parts when the device is ready to be placed in position is indicated in Fig. 2. It will be observed that the Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the inr llU upper face of the lever makes an acute angle with the stick. That this is advantageous will be evident from an inspection of Fig. & since it permits the base of the stick to be positioned outwardly of the base strip 28 or the window structure and at the same time a'liords a supporting snrface beneath the window which does not slope downwardly. The weather-exposed side of the window is at the left as viewed in Fig. l.

Some windows are counterbaianced by weights having cords leading over pulleys. In order to successfully employ my invention the window mast tend to close of its own weight. Such windows as are counterbalanced by weights having cordsleading over pulleys can be made to close of their own weight in a number of different ways. ihus one or" the weights can be rendered non-eti'ective for the time being by elevating the weight and tying a knot in the cord to prevent the weight from moving down when the window is elevated. Gr the window can be weighted as by weights 30 supported in brackets 32 atlixed to the window sash at any suitable point.

The element 24 is preferably paper of such composition and of such width that it has su'liicient tensile strength when dry to withstand the pull exerted between its ends when the window is resting on the free end of the lever 14 but which when wet will sever between its ends under such pull. 7

The manner of utilizing the device will be more or less evident but may be briefly described as follows:

The prop is made ready by placing a water destructible element 24 on the hooks 20 and 22. The window having been opened, the free end of the lever 1a is placed beneath the window with the element 24 facing outwardly. In the event of rain unaccompanied by wind suflicient to drive the rain in through the open window some rain will usually fall lease the window which will close of its own weight. The window in closing will push the prop aside the lever after release serving as an inclined cam down which the window moves.

What I claim is:

1, A device for holding windows open and allowing them to close under certain conditions comprising a prop adapted to rest upright on the inner side of the windowsill. a lever at the upper end of the prop, one end of said lever adapted for placement beneath the window to be controlled and thereby retain the prop in upright position, means for releasably holding said lever in a given angular position when in window holding position, said means including an elementof sufficient tensile strength when dry to prevent turning of the lever when it is supporting the load of the window but of insufficient strength for said purpose when it is wetted with water, whereby in the latter event the weight of the window on the lever will cause the element to sever and cause dislodgment of the prop from beneath the window.

2. In combination, an elongated body, a lever pivoted at one end of the body, a rigid pull rod secured to one end of the lever and passing through said body at a point adjacentthe lower terminal of the pull rod, a hooli aiiixed to said body below the terminal of the pull rod, the pull rod also having a hook, and means extending between said hooks adapted to withstand a predetermined pull when dry and when wet adapted to sever between its ends under such pull.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto atfixed my signature this 29 day of May, 1926.

VERNE L. SULLIVAN. 

